by jimwalton » Tue Sep 13, 2022 3:39 pm
It refers to earthly rulers, contrary to what you are saying. Check out 1 Cor. 1.26-28 for context. Paul is saying we don't follow the wisdom of earthly rulers; the wisdom of this world will amount to only a hill of beans. When Paul says they are "coming to nothing," he uses the present participle to note that they are in that process—in that direction. The purposes of God in choosing the “foolish,” the “weak,” the “low and despised,” and “things that are not” (cf. 1.27-28) was already starting to happen.
Then he says (1 Cor. 2.8) that none of these political and religious leaders (notably Caiaphas, Annas, Herod and Pilate) understood the mystery of God in Christ (v. 7). if they had, they would have bowed in worship rather than crucified Him in shame.
It refers to earthly rulers, contrary to what you are saying. Check out 1 Cor. 1.26-28 for context. Paul is saying we don't follow the wisdom of earthly rulers; the wisdom of this world will amount to only a hill of beans. When Paul says they are "coming to nothing," he uses the present participle to note that they are in that process—in that direction. The purposes of God in choosing the “foolish,” the “weak,” the “low and despised,” and “things that are not” (cf. 1.27-28) was already starting to happen.
Then he says (1 Cor. 2.8) that none of these political and religious leaders (notably Caiaphas, Annas, Herod and Pilate) understood the mystery of God in Christ (v. 7). if they had, they would have bowed in worship rather than crucified Him in shame.